# NTSB LAX00LA182: Smith Arthur Fox Long EZ, N7FS, Fallon, NV, May 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 2000, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Fallon, NV - Coordinates: 39.499732, -118.291 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4997&lon=-118.2910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 14, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49148/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA182 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and directional control during a crosswind landing that resulted in a touchdown off the runway surface in soft sand. A factor in the accident was an earlier improper repair, which weakened the landing gear strut. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (contributing factor) - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that his landing approach was normal. There was a 50-degree right crosswind at 15 knots. After touching down near the threshold on the main landing gear, the aircraft lifted off the runway to a height of 20-25 feet agl and drifted laterally off the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around and attempted to correct the flight path back over the runway; however, the aircraft touched down a second time in soft sand off the runway shoulder and the main gear collapsed. The aircraft then skidded to a stop on the runway on its belly. The pilot speculated that an earlier, improper repair of the fiberglass main landing gear leg left the leg in a weakened condition and contributed to the gear collapse. Shortly after purchasing the airplane, the pilot discovered that one main landing gear leg was deformed outward. The deformed gear leg had been reheated and realigned by a person who represented to the pilot that he was an expert in fiberglass repairs. Another mechanic told the pilot after the accident that he was of the opinion that this reheating weakened the fiberglass to the extent that it failed prematurely during the off-runway touchdown. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 2000, at 1435 hours Pacific daylight time, an experimental Fox Long EZ, N7FS, was substantially damaged during a main landing gear collapse on landing at Fallon Municipal Airport, Fallon, Nevada. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated by Mountain West Equities, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Truckee, California, exact time unknown, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that his approach to runway 21 (5,703 feet x 75 feet) was normal. The surface wind was approximately from 260 degrees at 15 knots. After touching down near the threshold on the main landing gear, the aircraft lifted off the runway to a height of 20-25 feet agl and drifted laterally off the runway. The pilot initiated a go-around and attempted to correct the flight path back over the runway; however, the aircraft touched down a second time in soft sand off the runway shoulder and the main gear collapsed. The aircraft then skidded down the runway on its belly. In a later report to the same FAA inspector, the pilot speculated that the accident was, in part, attributable to an earlier, improper repair of the fiberglass main landing gear leg that left the leg in a weakened condition. According to the pilot, shortly after he acquired the aircraft from the previous owner, he noted that the right-hand main gear leg was deformed outward; a discrepancy attributed to brake overheating and weakening of the fiberglass leg. The deformed gear leg had been reheated and realigned by a person who represented to the pilot that he was an expert in fiberglass repairs. After the accident, a different mechanic told him that this reheating weakened the fiberglass to the extent that it failed prematurely during his off-runway touchdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7FS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7FS), registered now, S/N 387, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH ARTHUR FOX LONG EZ - Registry model: [Smith Arthur Fox LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-arthur-fox-long-ez) (registry code 056093N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Lycoming O-320D2-H 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mountain West Equities, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA - Destination: FLX - Airport: FLX, Fallon Municipal, runway 21, 5,703 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 54 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 167 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NFL, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000502011079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000502011079A), May 2, 2000: Amtr LONGEZ, Fallon, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot and his passenger, who is also a pilot, stated that while just nearing towchdown they encountered a thermal that lifted them back up into the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.